Hello to all,
I have a problem...STATIC in the dryer. I can not seem to get rid of it. I tried those dryer sheets but they don't work. It is on all my wash and we are all shocking each other. I tried usin a little extra fabric softner in the washer and that doesn't work either. My almost 4 year old is going crazy she hates it.(Who would like it) I bought that static spray but it smells bad and really doesn't work that great. Anyone have any ideas? Oh and also it is in the basement with no heat, very cold down there.
Hi J.,
wow, that sounds like a lot of static! Not sure its just the dryer? But if you are looking for a great Dryer sheet, I love Get Clean soft fabric dryer sheets. They're natural veggie based & biodegradable. You can even rip them in 1/2 & reuse them, saving money!
http://www.shaklee.net/healthtoday/product/00306
You may want to run a humidifier to help w/ dryness in the house also.
HAppy New Year,
A.
i agree with the posts about general dryness and using the dryer itself less. i also wanted to recommend that when you use the dryer to not over dry the clothes. if you can set it to not toast them that should help with the clothing-related static.
I'm sure this won't be a popular post, but I'm afraid its a necessary one. We ALL need to be using our dryers LESS in the years to come. It's one of those green things you can do that makes a huge difference. Get a rack to dry your clothes ( even just some of them) indoors....will help the humidity situation. And get a clothesline for outside for the warmer weather. Makes for a good project with the kids, make it part of their chores! See project Laundry for more information on how reducing our dryer use can help save our wallets and our world! Here's the link: http://www.laundrylist.org/
The air in your home is too dry. Try a humidafier.
Maybe it's not just from the dryer. My house is 80 years old and dry. We use bowls of water on our radiators and a humidifier. It seems to help except the days it is really cold, that tends to dry the air more. You have to be careful to keep them properly cleaned though.
I agree, humidify, humidify, humidify! This will give you the biggest change.
You can also try having your 4yo run around in rubber-soled shoes instead of leather/hard-soled shoes or socks, but all the dryer sheets or static spray in the world won't help as much as getting some moisture into the air.
The problem isnt your dryer but your home. The winter and heat dry out the house causing static. If you cant buy a humidifier then put trays of water in out of the way places, as near to the heating sources as possible. Plants can also help to humidify a home, but you have to water them more often then in summer.
This will probably sound crazy, but put 1/2 cup of baking soda in your dryer with a half-dried load of clothes, then run it until dry. This should fix the static issue for a bit.
Also, get put our biggest pot, fill with water and 3-10 tbsp of an essentail oil you like (or olive oil and a spice you like, cinnamon works well) then bring to a boil. Either simmer it until it's all gone, or bring it to a boil and boil 5 minutes then shut it off. Do this every hour or two through the dy, that should also cut down on the static.
Good luck!
Sounds like you need more moisture in your air. Try a humidifier and see if it helps the problem.
Typically the static that comes from the dryer will only make your clothes cling to each other, and cling to your body - not the shocks that you describe.
Do you have carpeting in your house or some other type of special flooring? That may be the cause.
I agree with you that static is the most uncomfortable thing!
Here is what I have developed for myself as a drying system through trial and error. You may find that you will need to make modifications depending upon your drier and fabrics.
My kids love their fleece in the winter. I have found that putting the drier on a medium heat setting for one half hour and then taking *out* the items that are dry has been working. I remove all of the fleece items even if they feel a tiny bit damp. They dry out fast in the air. The rest of the laundry spins in the drier for another 20 to 30 minutes depending upon the fabric etc.
I use the drier balls and the fabric softener sheets. Occationally, I will put some white vinegar into the rinse cycle to get all of the soap out as well.
Good luck.
L. :)
1) Increase the humidity in your house. Air is much drier in the winter, which increases the frequency and severity of shocks. Use a humidifier.
2) Change clothes - switch to natural fibers, since synthetics pick up more of a static charge.
I agree with a previous post, it's not just your dryer. The dryer will only cause the static cling on clothes and cause them to cling to your body. The air in the house is too dry, causing the static electricity. If you have carpets, it can be worse, especially if there are "shufflers" in your house! Try using a humidifier and placing pots/bowls of water on heating sources (unless they are electric).
